“Afrim never lets go of the north alive” was a promise that Officer Afrim Bunjaku had made 10 days before he fell in the line of duty, writes KosovaPress. Today, on the second anniversary of his heroic death during the terrorist attack in Banjskë, Zvečan, many citizens paid tribute at the cemetery in the village of Samadrexhë, where the police officer lived, honoring his life and work.
Family members and fellow villagers expressed their grief over the loss of their loved one, while their call remains for justice for his murder.
Ilmi Behrami, the husband of Afrim Bunjaku’s sister, spoke highly of the hero and recalled a vow made by the late officer.
“Afrim never lets go of the north alive” — Bunjaku said this 10 days before he was killed during the terrorist attack in Banjskë, Zvečan.
“Afrim was very devoted to the people… He who deserves it should receive the punishment, but the problem is… 10 days before he died, he was at my place with my daughter; we had lunch together, and he told me, ‘Afrim never lets go of the north alive,’” he said.
Despite the strong sun over the hill where the hero Afrim Bunjaku rests in peace, elderly Asllan Haziri came to pay tribute at the officer’s grave.
Haziri called for the criminals who organized the terrorist attack in Banjskë, in which Officer Bunjaku was killed, to be brought to justice.
“We remember him for good; he did so much for our country, giving his life for the homeland, children, family, and state… They must be punished according to the law; we have not taken anyone else’s place,” he said.
The head of the village, Samadrexhë, Lulzim Surdulli, said the day when Officer Afrim Bunjaku fell heroically in the line of duty was tragic for the entire village.
He expressed the wish that the perpetrators of this crime be punished as soon as possible.
“September 23 was a tragic day for us; on the other hand, it is also a pride—a young man who fell heroically defending the Republic of Kosovo… Regarding punishment, we hope the criminals are dealt with as soon as possible by state institutions,” he said.
Sahit Bunjaku, Afrim Bunjaku’s cousin, remembers him as a beloved and patriotic man. He said the news of the officer’s killing brought great sorrow but also pride.
“Afrim was also a fellow villager, beloved, patriotic, a good man… He loved his work… I used to see him going on duty, and when I got him into the car, it felt like the car moved more freely… There is no greater sorrow, but it is pride because he gave his life for our country,” Sahit Bunjaku said.
State leaders also paid tribute at Afrim Bunjaku’s grave, calling on Serbia to hand over the criminals of the terrorist attack in Banjskë, where Officer Bunjaku was killed.
Today marks two years since the terrorist attack in Banjskë, Zvečan, carried out by a paramilitary group armed with heavy artillery. The main responsibility for this terrorist attack lies with the Serbian List deputy, Milan Radoiçiq.
The terrorist attack two years ago aimed to annex northern Kosovo.
Although the Special Prosecutor’s Office of Kosovo filed an indictment on September 11, 2024, 42 of the accused, led by Milan Radoiçiq, remain free, while three other accused arrested by the Kosovo Police are facing justice.
For the 42 accused who remain at large, the Basic Court in Prishtina has issued international arrest warrants.
The trial of Blagojr Spasojeviq, Vladimir Toliq, and Dushan Maksimoviq began on April 17 of this year, with all three denying the charges.
